What Causes a Dog to Make Loud Sucking Noises While Sleeping?

Diagnosing medical conditions in pets can be difficult since, unlike a human, they can't just come out and tell us what's wrong. If your dog is making loud sucking noises while sleeping, it is most likely "reverse sneezing," an action that a number of conditions can trigger.

  1. Cleft Palate

    • A dog with a cleft palate will often make sucking noises in its sleep. A cleft palate is a split in the lip, the roof of the mouth, or both, that can lead to breathing problems. Depending on how serious the cleft palate is, you dog may need surgery, so getting it checked for this condition is important.

    Ciliary Dyskinesis

    • Ciliary dyskinesis is another possible cause of this behavior that involves the tiny hair-like strands called cilia that line your dog's windpipe. If these are moving involuntarily , they can cause irritation in your dog's throat and the noises that it makes while sleeping.

    Nasal Infection

    • Just as wth humans, a common cold or infection can cause a dog to get congested and make loud noises in its sleep. Any number of infections can cause the mucous to build up in a dog's throat, lungs or sinus cavities, but antibiotics can take care of most with simple antibiotics. If your dog is making any unusual noises, it is always a good idea to check with a veterinarian to make sure the condition doesn't turn into something more serious.